Current Research
Marine Biodiversity: In collaboration with The Ecological Interactions Research Program, the Hakai Institute, and the Juanes Lab, my Ph.D. research focuses on marine biodiversity and how it varies across multiple scales, and identifying the ecological processes that drive differences in diversity. To address this question, my thesis research has involved the assessment of historical and contemporary shellfish aquaculture sites and after two amazing field season, we have now assessed 24 intertidal First Nations clam gardens, shellfish leases, and non-aquaculture sites within three coastal regions (Baynes Sound, Quadra Island, and Calvert Island). I'm am now in the process of determining how diversity varies across and between these site types and regions, as well as identifying the ecological drivers likely controlling the diversity within these systems. Stay tuned for more information!
Soundscape: How do changes to the prevailing soundscape effect marine life? Do all species respond in the same way? How important is sound source? These are a few of the questions Dr. Juanes and I are addressing as part of our ongoing project investigating the impact that marine noise has on fish behaviour. This project originated as part of a NSERC USRA in 2015 but given the scope of these questions, it is still ongoing today.
Past Research
Three-spine Stickleback: I was fortunate enough to work with Dr. Reimchen in various degrees throughout my undergraduate. This experience played a key role in my success as an undergrad as well as cultivating my interest in ecological theory. Our paper on differential temperature preferences of vertebral phenotypes in Gasterosteus was recently published in the Canadian Journal of Zoology. For more information on Dr. Reimchen and his ongoing research click here.
Christmas Island: While working as a Scientific Diver, Research Assistant, and Lead Diver in the Baum Lab, I was fortunate enough to assist Dr. Julia Baum and her lab on three expeditions to Christmas Island (Kiribati) . These expeditions, led by PhD candidate Danielle Claar, were centred around the 2015 El Niño and the subsequent coral bleaching event. To learn more about the great work Julia and her lab are doing click here.